Places filled with history and culture had
always perked the curious side of me. That’s the reason why despite the dingy
nature of Manila, I’ve always clung to the nostalgia of its glorious past. For
one, the oldest Chinatown, probably in Asia or even in the world, is a place I
look forward to visiting. Its semi-dark allies and narrow ins and outs make for
an urban adventure. My parents have always brought us there for the usual
Chinese food fare and then in high school, when I learned the ropes of public
commuting and Manila traffic, my friends and I would usually sneak to Divisoria
via Binondo. I forgot it on college because we chose to seek refuge from the
different eateries along Teresa Street.

And then, just last year, after reading
several blogs sharing their awesome gastronomic experience in Chinatown’s
hole-in-the-wall restos, I decided to give it a try. The first trip was with my
siblings, I made a blog entry for that. The second was with Ate Fina and Ate
Anna. It was a bit of a let-down because we weren’t able to really roam around.
The first culprit was were all tired from our own morning activities but second
because my two companions wolfed down a big bowl of congee each. So much for
the supposed food trip. Hahaha.

The third trip was much better and extra
special (naks). We’re celebrating Kuya Alvin’s and Manay Joy’s birthdays plus
we have a tour guide. Awesome! The foodies were me, Ate Fina, Kuya Paulie, Kuya
Fids, Ms Jeni of UNDP (who has a very nice camera, I must say), Manay Joy, Kuya
Alvin and his friends. All in all, we finished 11 restaurants and snack places—from
Binondo’s heart in Ongpin until the relatively far Soler Street which was near
Recto Avenue na. The photos below would tell the whole story for me.

For more photos, you may visit my photoblog at www.kyemeruth.jux.com. J

Chopstixx mastery level: Still amateur but taking ground. Hahaha.

Team Binondo goes wacky in front of Dong Bei Dumplings in Yuchengco Street.

Peach cheber at Cafe Mezzanine.

Interior. Cafe Mezzanine.

The famed Halo-Halo at Cafe Mezzanine. According to Kuya Alvin, this is their bestseller.

Cafe Mezzanine.

Team Binondo in front of Cafe Mezzanine.

Binondo's busy lane.

Chinese Holland. The happy hopia.

Welcome to Chinatown!

Chinese stuff by the bangketa.

Kiat-kiat. This is would make a nice Christmas tree. Hahaha.

Bahay kubo and non-bahay kubo gulay on carts.

The Hiding Place. Historians said that the original manuscript of JP Rizal's Noli Me Tangere was kept here. The said house is owned by Higino Francisco, one of the supporters of the revolutionary forces during the Spanish era.

The place is now an apartment and is flanked by small stores below. Sorry, the manong never left the frame.

Office people showing off their yummy fried siopaos. We're along Benavidez Street yata.

Along Benavidez. If I'm not mistaken.

Salazar Bakery at Salazar Street. Also famous for its hopia variants.

Tikoy overload.

Omens and symbols. The Chinese are known for the different animals that bring good fortune to their lives.